774.56/2–1053: Telegram

No. 1099
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Egypt1

secret

1626. Your 1829.2 For variety of reasons Department does not believe it advisable that interim arms equipment agreement list be discussed both Washington and Cairo. Department therefore proposes today to present arms list to Egyptian representatives Washington. This list will be substantially same as that contained Deptel 1559 to Cairo.3 Additions made in limited quantities 50 cal., 30 cal. and 37 mm. ammunition for tanks and armored cars for training purposes. Number of helmets reduced substantially as well as cut made in 76 mm. ammunition to bring cost figure under $11 million.

Above for your information only. You will be advised further when interim list finalized with Egyptians.

Dulles
  1. Repeated to London as telegram 5389.
  2. In telegram 1829 from Cairo, Feb. 10, not printed, Ambassador Caffery welcomed the suggestion that it might be possible to establish a system of deferred payments for the Egyptians’ interim arms aid program, and he asked the Department to inform him when the formal list of interim arms equipment could be discussed with the authorities in Cairo. (774.56/2–1053)
  3. Not printed; see footnote 3, Document 1088.